PhD Studentship - Feasibility of a Culturally Tailored Cancer Prehabilitation for the South Asian Community

Project advert

Prehabilitation is a core component of supportive care for health and well-being during cancer survivorship. It aims to improve cancer treatment outcomes and long-term health by preparing people awaiting cancer treatments, not only surgery, through support for physical activity, nutrition and emotional well-being either alone or in combination, and from the point of diagnosis. 

However, despite the clinical and cost effectiveness of cancer prehabilitation, engagement and uptake from South Asian communities remains very low.  Research shows treatment and survival outcomes are poor among minority ethnic groups, therefore, it is of paramount importance for this population to engage in cancer prehabilitation to improve clinical outcomes.

As such this studentship will investigate the feasibility of a culturally tailored cancer prehabilitation for South Asian communities through our partnership with Prehab4Cancer. 

Project aims and objectives

The aim is to develop and test the feasibility of a culturally tailored cancer prehabilitation intervention for South Asian communities. 

To achieve this, we will: 

• Co-create a culturally tailored cancer prehabilitation intervention with cancer survivors from a South Asian background (Phase 1). 
• Assess the feasibility of the culturally tailored prehabilitation intervention (Phase II).

Funding

The student will be in receipt of a stipend payment; the Research Council minimum rate (set by UKRI) £20,780 for 2025/26.

Home and Overseas students can apply. Home fees are covered. Eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding. 

Specific requirements of the candidate

Female-only applicant – This is a requirement due to existing barriers associated with accessing healthcare in South Asian women. Exercise is an important component of this research, and a same sex health practitioner is required for South Asian women, as such we are asking for a female applicant only to mitigate those barriers. 

Essential

• Minimum of upper second-class BSc honours degree in a relevant degree such as sport and exercise science, human physiology etc.
• Experience of working with clinical populations and collecting human data
• Proficient in Microsoft office, specifically Microsoft excel
• Travel to various locations across Greater Manchester where Prehab4Cancer is delivered is needed to work with the patient groups and collect data. Interested participants who may require reasonable adjustments are encouraged to contact the supervisor to discuss these aspects of the project.

Desirable

• MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology (or other relevant discipline)
• Experience of working with patients with cancer
• Evidence of engagement in research activities (e.g., managing a research project, publishing journal articles, conference presentations)
• Experience of using statistical and/or analytical software packages (e.g., SPSS, R, Tableau, Power BI, etc).

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr. Stefan Birkett (s.birkett@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a  full-time PhD in Sports & Exercise Science

You should also complete a narrative CV (500-1000 words) addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have map to the area of research, how your experience makes you suitable for this position, and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.  

You will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Expected start date October 2025

Please quote the reference: SciEng-SB-2025-Tailored Cancer Prehabilitation 

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